X100 focus issue - have you run into this?

[celluloidprop]

It's not really a problem, as I instinctively work around it now, but with my X100 I find that sometimes it will not focus on something close-ish (outside of macro distance, but just a bit) no matter how many areas of contrast try. But if I focus on something a few feet away and then go back to the close object, everything is fine.

 

[gavinlg]

Haven't run into that personally. Are you using OVF with the AF corrected frame turned on?

 

[celluloidprop]

This is through the EVF and LCD. It's almost like the camera gets a little confused and doesn't even try.
I thought about it watching some of the early XP1 videos, when people were freaking out about it not catching focus on nearby objects but doing fine with a bit of distance. I suspect it might have focused on the closer objects if they'd gone back to them.

 

[gavinlg]

I've noticed it's a little fussy close up, but more with the macro distances...

 

[GaryLH]

I remember this happening to me once. I don't remember how I got around the problem that time. I normally use evf mode when taking pictures that require macro mode.

Gary

 

[OlliL]

I use macro, for everything closer than 1m.

 

[bhop73]

Yes. This happens to me often. As much as I love the X100, I also hate it sometimes.

 

[boomguy57]

Yes. This happens to me often. As much as I love the X100, I also hate it sometimes.

I really love it, but it is a bit...temperamental. I was just having this issue last night: plenty of contrast, and it was within the macro distance--which I had engaged--and it simply refused to focus no matter how many times or different contrast areas I tried in the area I was trying to shoot. No idea why.

 

[crispy12]

Have you tried it with the AF assist light on?

 

[pedaes]

Been a problem in low light with me. Had missed there is a AF light to help in these situations. Need to re-read the Manual!

 

[Richard G]

When that has happened to me on the odd occasion I have switched to manual and pressed the manual focus button.

 

[willie_901]

It's not really a problem, as I instinctively work around it now, but with my X100 I find that sometimes it will not focus on something close-ish (outside of macro distance, but just a bit) no matter how many areas of contrast try. But if I focus on something a few feet away and then go back to the close object, everything is fine.

This is interesting. Maybe there's a range just beyond macro mode where the AF just doesn't work.

For close ups:

Only use the EVF

Use AFS mode with the smallest possible focus box.

Switch to macro mode even though you are just out of macro distance

Remember Fuji recommends a minimum F stop of 4 in macro mode. The lens is not designed to perform well in macro mode at wider apertures. the F 4 minimum may be useful at other close distances as well.

 

[jsrockit]

Works just like a RF in this respect (i.e. a minimum focus distance of .7 meters or whatever)... it's not going to focus close with the OVF. You need to use the EVF at distances that are not OVF friendly.

 

[JonasYip]

I've hit the original poster's problem often (where it just won't focus on something at a moderate distance that really shouldn't be a challenge). That's with the EVF, so different from an OVF parallax issue. Focusing elsewhere and trying again sometimes works, MF sometimes works, switching to Macro sometimes works... in any case the shot is often gone by that point.

Still love the camera though....